Cutout construction



NOV. 7, 1944. w o SCHULTZ ETAL 2,362,314

CUTOUT CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 6, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 10/11/1441 0. 8071/17 Z Ala/w 6'- J'I'E/AM/YVEP AT ORNEY.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 R i 5 y mu w 7 m w M EMF. 0 va J a m WM 6 a m w M W W fi 2 HM 1 Ma 9 w WW 0 MT" m M 7 M W. O. SCHULTZ ET AL CUTOUT CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 6, 1943 1 w. o.-scHu| Tz ET AL CUTOUT CONSTRUCT ION Filed Feb. 6, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TORNEY Nov. 7, 1944.- I

W. O. SCHULTZ ET AL CUTOUT CONSTRUCTION 4 SheetsSheet 4 lll| IIIIIIIILILT Filed Feb. 6, 1945 INVENTORS Ill/IMAM 0. sc/mzrz Y v Ala/M 6. WWW/7V5? k ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1944 cu'rou'r CONSTRUCTION William 0. Schultz, South Milwaukee, and Alwin G. Steinmayer, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee,

Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1943, Serial No. 474,938

22 Claim.

This invention relates to cut-out constructions.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a cut-out which operates as a drop-out fuse device under electrical overload and which also may be operated manually to open the circuit under load without damage to the apparatus.

Further objects are to provide a device as set forth hereinabove which is so made that the fuse link construction is not damaged when the device is manually operated under load but in which means are provided for reestablishing the Position of the fuse construction for further service after the device has been manually operated so that the same fuse construction can be used over and over unless such fuse construction has been ruptured by an electrical overload in the automatic operation of the apparatus.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which the circuit is interrupted within the fuse tube whether the cut-out is operated automatically upon electrical overload or manually during load, the construction also providing for the automatlcoutward and downward dropping of the cut-out after the circuit has been first ruptured within the tube itself, the construction insuring for the expulsive arc extinguishing action whether the circuit is opened manually or automatically.

Further objects are to provide a cut-out construction which may employ a simple type of rigid upper stationary contact, which is so made that the fuse tube may be repositioned by means of a switch stick although it is equipped for both manual and automatic operation as the ordinary type of fuse device, and which is adapted when manually operated to be manipulated by means of a switch stick so that the operator is out of the danger zone at the time the cut-out inter-.

rupts the circuit.

Further objects are to provide a cut-out construction which has both the automatic operation under electrical overload and the manual operation and in which a part at least of the composite fuse link construction is drawn upwardly into the fuse tube when the device operates automatically, and in which the lower portion of the composite fuse link construction is bodily drawn upwardly into the fuse tube when the device is manually operated, thereby securing in both cases a certain and assured clearing of the circuit within the fuse tube itself prior to the outward droppin of the fuse tube.

Further objects are to provide a construction which although having the features of both automatic and manual operation is nevertheless of relatively simple construction.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the apparatus showing the device in closed position.

Figure 2 is a view, partly in section and partly broken away, showing the device while it is being manually operated.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the device.

Fiyure 4 is a view, partly broken away and partly in section, showing the device after it has dropped to open position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 6-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the lower portion of a further modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the structure,

shown in Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, it will be seen that The upper terminal extends outwardly and terminates in an upwardly bevelled lip portion 1 which is provided with an upwardly recessed por. tion 8 and with a stop flange 8 rearwardly of such depression.

The lower terminal 4 is provided with a pair of hook like members or supporting members II which are joined by means of 'a flange portion I I.

The cut-out comprises a fuse tube if of fiber or suitable material provided with an upper terminal l3 including the clamping cap H which has a rounded upper end normally fitting beneath the recessed or latching portion 8 of the upper stationary terminal. A manipulating eyelet portion. I5 is formed integrally with the upper fuse terminal i3.

The lower portion of the fuse is provided with a collar l6 rigidly secured thereto which is equipped with a manipulating eyelet I I on its outer side and with a manipulating eyelet porpivot pins extend outwardly from shouldered portions 2| of the arm l9, as shown most clearly in Figure 2, the shouldered portions 2| constituting spacing members and being located between the channel like walls 22 of a lever 23. The lever 23 is provided with slots 24 within which the pivot pins are slidably and pivotally mounted. The lever 23 is also provided with outwardly projecting trunnions 25 which are removably seated in the hook like supporting members 1. The lever 23 at its rear portion is provided with a rounded flange 26 which is positioned beneath the flange II and assists in preventing upward recoil when the fuse blows and also prevents inadvertent detachment of the trunnions 25 from the hook supports I0 until the device has been rocked downwardly, for example as shown in Figure 4. The lever 23 may be provided with an upwardly extending arm 23 which has a curved flange portion loosely surrounding a part of the collar l6.

It is to be noted that the lever 23 extends forwardly beneath the lower end of the fuse tube and is provided with a pair of fingers constituting a slotted or forked end 21, see particularly Figures 2 and 3. If desired, the lever 23 may be provided with a downwardly extending web 28 which will limit the rearward rocking of the lever when the fuse tube first drops downwardly to its lowest osition, as such web will engage the flange M if the fuse tube and lever rock to the left past the position shown in Figure 4.

The fuse tube encloses a fuse link construction which includes a buttonhead 29 clamped between the cap l4 and the sleeve l3 at the upper end of the fuse tube I2. A flexible leader 30 extends downwardly from the cap 29 and through a tension spring 3|. The lower end of the tension spring is secured to an internally threaded collar 32 constituting the lower terminal of the flexible leader 30.

The fuse unit itself is removable and comprises an upper cylindrical member 33 provided with a threaded stem 34 removably screwed into the member 32. A metallic sleeve 35 is flanged over the upper end of the member 33 and extends downwardly and has preferably a tight fit with a small fiber tube 36. A metallic rod 31 extends upwardly into the small ilber tube 33 and is slidable outwardly from said tube. It is held in place by means of the strain wire 33 and is also connected to the member 33 by means of th fuse wire 39. The rod 31 extends downwardly out of the lower end of the fuse tube and is provided with a centering collar for centering the fuse link with reference to the outer or main fuse tube |2. Below the collar the rod is provided with a reduced portion 4| and with a lower collar 42 which has a bevelled upper surface as indicated at 43. A manipulating rod 44 is either permanently or removably secured within the collar 42. In the form shown in Figure 5 lowerflange 45 may be omitted if desired, for example, as shown for the sleeve it in the modified form shown in Figure 6.

The lower collar 42 is normally hooked beneath the forked end 21 of the lever 23 and prevents the springs 3| from contracting and drawing the fuse link and associated parts upwardly into the fuse tube.

The operation of the apparatus under overload is as follows: When an overload occurs, the fuse link 39 and strain wire 33, see Figure 5, are ruptured and the spring 3| draws the members 32 and 33 and the small fiber tube 36 upwardly the manipulating rod 44 is permanently secured into the main fuse tube II. The rod 31 is expelled downwardly and also is pulled downwardly by means of the lever 23, it being noted that the weight of the fuse tube and its associated parts, as well as the weight of the lever 23, biases the lever towards downward motion. It is apparent, therefore, that when the fuse link is ruptured, the rod 31 moves downwardly and releases the lever 23 which upon rocking downwardly moves the lower end of the fuse tube downwardly and outwardly and allows the upper cap ll of the upper terminal of the fuse tube to detach itself from the latching portion 3 of th upper stationary terminal 3. The fuse tube then drops downwardly to the position shown in Figure 4.

In this position it is ,obvious that the fuse tube may be lifted from the hook supports l3 by means of a switch stick coacting with the eyelet portion H! of the arm IS. The fuse tube is then re-fused and replaced.

The device has another mode of operation when it is desired to manually open the circuit under load. The initiating of this mode of operation is shown in Figure 2 wherein the switch stick indicated in dotted lines at 43 is hooked into the outer lower eyelet H at the lower end of the fuse tube and the fuse tube is then drawn to the right as viewed in Figure 2. This causes the collar 42 to slide outwardly from the forked end 21 of the lever 23 and the coil spring or tension spring 3| immediately draws the lower portions of the composite fuse link structure upwardly into the main fuse tube l2. The initial arc strikes between the rod 31, for example the collar portion 40 and the lower flange 43 of the lower fuse terminal or collar I8, see Figure 5, and the arc is drawn into the tube and is immediately extinguished by the expulsion action produced. It is to be noted that the outward rocking of the lower end of the fuse tube when manually manipulated as indicated in Figure 2 is permitted due to the fact that the pivot pins 20 are allowed sliding motion within the elongated slots 24.

When the lever 23 is freed from restraint, it moves downwardly and moves the lower end of the fuse tube downwardly and outwardly and allows the upper end thereof, that is to say, the cap portion H to detach itself from the upper stationary contact.

The manual opening of the circuit is accomplished without destroying the fuse link and after the fuse tube has dropped downwardly to its lowest position, it may be removed by means of a switch stick as described. Thereafter it is merely necessary to pull the composite fuse link downwardly by a pull on the manipulating rod 44 and to thereafter detachably lock the lower end of the composite fuse link to the lever 23 as previously described. The fuse tube may then be replaced and rocked back into circuit when it is desired to again close the circuit.

manipulating rod can be employed.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 6, the arc strikes from the lower end of the sleeve It to the adjacent; portion of the rod 31. The purpose of the lower flange 4 is to insure the striking of the are directly from the sleeve ii to the adjacent portion of the rod 31, for example the collar 40, and thus insure that the arc will not. strike from the lower end of the sleeve ii to the forked end 21 of the lever 23.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 7, the same general construction of fuse tube l2 and associated parts is employed. The metallic collar 21 corresponding to the collar ii at the lower end of the fuse tube is not provided with the outer manipulating eyelet IT, as in the first form of the invention. It is provided with the rearwardly extending arm 48 which is equipped with pivot pins 48 and with a manipulating eyelet portion 50. The arm 48 is'pivoted to the lever which carries the trunnions 52' and whose left-hand portion is constructed in the same manner as that described in connection with Figure l. The lever 5| may also be provided with an upwardly extending arm 5| corresponding to the arm 23 of Figure 1. The lever ll, however, is provided with a notched outer end, the notch being indicated at 52 in Figure 8.

This notched end extends less than half way across the lower collar 42' of the rod 3'! and consequently the lever 5| would not of itself restrain the upward motion of the rod. However, a latching member in the form of a lever indicated generally at 53 is pivotally mounted as indicated at M on the lever SI and is provided with a manipulating eyelet 55 adapted to be engaged by a switch stick. The latching member '3 is also provided with a notched portion indicated at 56 in Figure 8 which coacts with the notched portion 52 of the lever ii to restrain the collar 42' and consequently the rod 31. In this form of the invention there is no need for a centering collar like the collar 40 of Figure 5 as the notches 52 and 58 center the fuse link. The lever or latching member 53 is bifurcated and is provided with shouldered portions 51, see Figure 7, which abut the lower surface of the lever BI and limit the upward rocking motion of the latching lever 53. The downward rocking motion of the latching lever is limited by means of the extensions 50 which abut the lower surface of the lever 5i when the latching lever is in its down or dotted line position as shown in Figure 7. 1

The operation of this form of the invention on overload is identically the same as that previously described. The manual operation is slightly different and consists in the .fact that the latching lever 53 is first drawn downwardly by means of a switch stick. There is sufficient play between the reduced portion ll of the rod 31' and the notched portions of the levers 5i and B3 to allow the lever 53 to be pulled downwardly. When it is pulled downwardly, the collar 42 of the rod 31' is released and the rod is drawn upwardly into the main fuse tube "I 2. The manipulating rod 59 is detachably secured to the collar 42 by means of the threaded connection as 'indicated or in any other suitable manner.

It is to be distinctly understood that in either form of the invention either the detachable manipulating rod or the permanently secured If the manipulating rod is permanently attached, it is made of insulating material. If the maniputhe manipulating rod is detachable, it maybe inserted through the lower end of the fuse tube and may be engaged in the lower collar portion 42 of the rod 31' and thereafter the composite fuse link may be pulled downwardly for reengagement.

It is to be noted that in rocking the cut-out toclosed position, the upper terminal of the fuse tube rides beneath the slanting surface 1 until the cap II of the upper contact of the fuse tube seats within the recessed portion 8 of the upper stationary contact 3. There is sufiicient yield provided by the spring ll, see Figure 5, to allow a slight downward motion of the fuse tube and the associated lever construction at its lower end to allow for this motion.

It is to be understood that the fuse unit consisting of the members 33, 35, 36 and i1 is a renewable unit so that when one fuse unit blows, another may be substituted. It is to be understood also that the composite structure extending through the fuse tube constitutes in reality a fuse link normally electrically connecting the upper and lower stationary terminals.

It will be seen that a novel form of cut-out has been provided which has both automatic and manual operation responding to an overload in an automatic manner and capable of being operated manually to interrupt the circuit under load.

It is also to be without damage to the cut-out. seen that the composite fuse link is not destroyed when the cut-out is manually opened under load as thesame composite fuse link is again put in service as described hereinabove.

It will be seen further that the construction though affording both of these modes of operation is relatively simple and is not much more complicated than the usual type of drop-out expulsion fuse.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim:

l. A cut-out construction comprising a tube having an open end, a conductor within said tube and having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, a pair of stationary contacts normally electrically connected by said conductor, retracting means within said tube tending to draw said conductor into said tube. restraining means adjacent the open end of said tube for detachably holding the outwardly projecting portion of said conductor, and manually operable means for causing release of said conductor from said restraining means, whereby electrical connection between said stationary contacts will be interrupted within said tube.

2. A drop-out cut-out construction comprising a tube having an open end, a conductor within said tube having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, a pair of stationary contacts normally electrically connected by said conductor, retracting means within said tube tending to draw-said conductor .into said tube, means supporting said tube for drpp-out motion, said tube being biased towards drop-out motion, restraining means detachably restraining said conductor and restraining said tube against drop-out motion and when released from said conductor allowing said tube to execute drop-out motion, and manually operable means for causing release of said conductor from said restraining means, whereby electrical connection between said stationary contacts will be interrupted within said tube and said tube will execute drop-out motion.

3. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operable means for causing release of said fuse link from said restraining means whereby the circuit Will be interrupted within said fuse tube.

4. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operable means for causing relative motion between said restraining means and said fuse tube to release the projecting portion of said fuse link from said restraining means whereby the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube.

5. A cut-out construction comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link including a fusible portion operable on electrical overload to interrupt the circuit within said tube, retracting means tending to draw the projecting portion of said fuse link into said tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said fuse tube for detachably holding the fuse link against motion, and manually operable means for releasing said fuse link from said restraining means, whereby said retracting means will be free to operate and the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube.

6. A cut-out construction comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link including a fusible portion operable on electrical overload to interrupt the circuit within said tube, retracting means tending to draw the projecting portion of said fuse link into said tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said fuse tube for detachably holding the fuse link against motion, and manually operable means for releasing said fuse link from said restraining means, whereby said retracting means will be free to operate and the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube, said fuse link being undamaged when manual operation takes place.

7. A drop-out cut-out construction comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within aid fusetube having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link including a fusible portion operable on electrical overload to interrupt the circuit within said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw the projecting portion of said fuse link into said fuse tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said fuse tube for detachably holding aid fuse link against motion and being itself restrained by said fuse link, said restraining means normally holding said fuse tube against drop-out motion arid releasing said fuse tube for drop-out motion when said restraining means is free of restraint from said fuse link, and manually operable means for releasing said fuse link from said restraining means.

8. A drop-out cut-out construction comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube having a. portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link including a fusible portion operable on electrical overload to interrupt the circuit within said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw the projecting portion of said fuse link into said fuse tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said fuse tube for detachably holding said fuse link against'motion and being itself restrained by said fuse link, said restraining means normally holding said fuse tube against drop-out motion and releasing said fuse tube for drop-out motion when said restraining means is free of restraint from said fuse link, and manually operable means for releasing said fuse link from said restraining means, the projecting portion of said fuse link when released from said restraining means being drawn into said fuse tube to interrupt the circuit within said fuse tube.

9. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a. projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and means having a portion operable externally of said fuse tube and adapted to receive a switch stick for releasing the projecting portion of said fuse link from said restraining means for breaking the connection between said stationary contacts within said fuse tube independently of load conditions.

10. A fuse device comprising a movably mounted fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operable means engageable by a switch stick for moving said fuse tube with reference to said restraining means to release the projecting portion of said fuse link from said restraining means.

11. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, movable restraining means detachably engaging theprojecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operable means for moving said movable restraining means to detach said restraining means from said fuse link.

12. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion provided with an enlargement normally located beyond the open end of said fuse tube, yieldable retracting means tending to withdraw the projecting portion of said fuse link into said fuse tube, restraining means having a notched portion detachably engaging the enlargement of said fuse link and restraining the projecting portion of said fuse link from retraction into said fuse tube, and manually operable means for causing detachment of said enlargement from the said notched portion of said restraining means.

13. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuselink and restraining the said projecting portion, manually operable means for causing release of said fuse link from said restraining means whereby the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube, and a second manually operable means attached to the end of said fuse link for drawing said fuse link outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube after manual operation of the device.

14. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a, projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, retracting means tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operable means for causing release of said fuse link from said restraining means whereby the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube, the end of said fuse link having means for detachably receiving a withdrawing instrumentality whereby the end of said fuse link may be drawn outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube after manual operation of the device.

15. A fuse device comprising an expulsion fuse tube having an open end, a fuse link within said fuse tube adapted to rupture on overload, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link when ruptured on overload interrupting the circuit within said fuse tube, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly on overload or by operation of said manual means.

.16. A drop-out fuse device comprising a pair of stationary contacts, a fuse tube having an open end, a. fuse link within said fuse tube,'said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting from the open end of said fuse tube, said fuse tube normally occupying an operative position and biased towards drop-out motion to an inoperative position, retracting means tending to retract the projecting portion of said fuse link into said fuse tube, mechanism normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and including restraining means releasably holding the projecting portion of said fuse link, and manually operable means for causing release of said fuse link from said restraining means, said mechanism releasing said fuse tube for drop-out operation when said fuse link is ruptured on overload or when said fuse link is detached from said restraining means.

17. A drop-out fuse device comprising an upper and a lower stationary contact, said upper contact having a rigid latch portion, a fuse tube having an open lower end and a closed upper end, the upper end of said fuse tube normally having interlocking engagement with the rigidlatch portion of said upper stationary contact, a fuse link within said fuse tube extending outwardly from the lower open end thereof, and a lever pivotally supported from said lower contact and controlled by said fuse link for normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and releasable upon overload to release the upper end of said fuse tube from engagement with the rigid latch portion of said upper stationary contact, said fuse link including a resilient portion intermediate its ends to allow the said lever to move with reference to said fuse tube when said fuse tube is rocked into latching engagement with the rigid latch portion of said upper stationary contact.

18. A drop-out fuse device comprising an upper and a lower stationary contact, a fuse tube having a closed upper end normally detachably interlocked with said upper stationary contact and having an open lower end, a fuse link within said fuse tube including an intermediate resilient portion and a portion projecting outwardly from the lower open end of said fuse tube, a lever pivotally supported from the lower contact and having means interengaging with the projecting portion of said fuse link for restraining said fuse link, said lever normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and releasable upon the occurrence of an overload, and means adapted to be engaged by a switch stick fin detaching the projecting portion of said fuse link from said lever, the projecting portion of said fuse link when detached from said lever being retracted into said fuse tube by the resilient portion of said fuse link.

19. A fuse device comprising a fuse tube having an open lower end and having a closed upper end, a fuse link within said fuse tube, stationary contacts normally connected to form a circuit through said fuse link, said fuse link having a fusible portion adjacent the lower open end of said fuse tube and located within said fuse tube for interrupting the circuit'within said fuse tube on electrical overload, said fuse link having a projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said fuse tube, resilient contractible retracting means located within said fuse tube above said fusible portion and tending to withdraw said projecting portion into said fuse tube, restraining means detachably engaging the projecting portion of said fuse link and restraining the said projecting portion, and manually operaable means for causing release of said fuse link from said restraining means whereby the circuit will be interrupted within said fuse tube on manual release.

20. A cut-out construction comprising a tube having an open end and a closed end, a conduc tor within said tube having a normally projecting portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, said tube having a terminal adjacent its closed end and having a terminal provided with a portion adjacent its open end, a pair of stationary contacts normally electrically connected to the terminals of said tube, retracting means within said tube tending to draw the normally projecting portion of said conductor into said tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said tube for detachably holding the normally outwardly projecting portion of said conductor, and operable means for causing release of said conductor from said restraining means, the said portion of the terminal of the tube adjacent the open end being arranged in close proximity to said normally outwardly projecting portion whereby when said normally outwardly projecting portion is retracted the'arc will be established between the last mentioned terminal of the tube and the normally projecting portion of said conductor and the circuit will be interrupted within said tube.

21. A cut-out construction comprising a tube having an open end, a conductor within said tube and having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, a pair of stationary contacts normally electrically connected by said conductor, retracting means within said tube tending to draw said conductor into said tube, restraining means adjacent the open end of said tube for detachably holding the outwardly projecting portion of said conductor, and means for causing release of said conductor from said restraining means, whereby electrical connection between said stationary contacts will be interrupted within said tube.

22. A drop-out cut-out construction comprising a tube having an open end, a conductor within said tube having a portion projecting outwardly from the open end of said tube, a pair of stationary contacts normally electrically connected by said conductor, retracting means within said tube tending to draw said conductor into said tube, means supporting said tube for dropout motion, said tube being biased towards drop out motion, restraining means detachably restraining said conductor and restraining said tube against drop-out motion and when released from said conductor allowing said tube to execute drop-out motion, and means for causing release of said conductor from said restraining means, whereby electrical connection between said stationary contacts will be interrupted within said tube and said tube will execute drop-out 

